Disclaimer: I still don't own Y&R
Here we go! Let's see some #Amilly and a showdown I really wanted.
Enjoy
"Billy..." she said her breath catching. "You are awake."
"I am awake." He said. They were silent just listening to each other breathing as if to confirm they were indeed alive. "I need to see you." He said.
"Are you sure?" asked Amanda nervously. "After what happened…"
"I want to see you Amanda." said Billy cutting her off, his voice firm, telling her indirectly that he didn't blame her for anything.
"Ok." she said softly. In truth she wanted to see him too, especially now that he was awake. Turning to Phyllis, she said, "I got to go."
"Of course." said Phyllis understanding.
"Thank you for being here for me."
"Always." said Phyllis and she was rewarded by a smile.
Walking into the hospital in the light of day, her belly was full of knots, first from what Victoria had said to her and from the thought of going to see him. She didn't even notice Victoria who was at the opposite waiting for an elevator looking at her contemplatively her thoughts too consumed. She held on to her purse as she walked into his room. He was laying down, eyes closed and she thought he was asleep when he opened his eyes and their gazes met and held neither saying anything.
She walked up to him slowly, their gazes still holding till she got beside him. "Hi." she said softly.
"Hi." he said with smile. She looked tired, worried, anxious.
"How are you feeling?" asked Amanda looking him over. It was so nice to see him awake and breathing.
"I am ok." she gave him a look. "Ok, I am in a bit of pain but nothing I can't handle."
"I am so glad you are awake. I was so scared."
"I am fine. I will be out of this place in no time."
"I hope so." she said then looked down anxiously, her hands shifting nervously. "Billy…"
"Stop." he said forcefully. "None of this is your fault and I will not have you blame yourself."
"But…"
"There is no buts. If anyone is to blame, it's Ripley. He is the one who did this. Not you. And maybe we can blame the security too…they let him in."
"They let us in too." Amanda pointed out.
"Exactly my point. The Newmans need new security." said Billy and they shared a smile. "This is not your fault Amanda. Ripley is sick and you couldn't have predicted his behaviour. They will catch him and everything will be fine ok?" he said and waited till she nodded. He opened his arms and said, "Come here."
She fell into his arms and when she felt them around her, she couldn't help but start sobbing, all the while bubbling how sorry she was that he had been hurt. She was surprised she still had any tears left given how often she had cried.
Billy held her close to him. He could feel the fear, the anxiety and all other emotions she was exuding and he wanted to wipe it all away. He wanted her smiling and happy again. He gently kissed her forehead and then he felt someone looking at him. Raising his eyes, they met with Victoria's. they held and he could see an understanding in her eyes, as though she was getting an epiphany of some sort before she smiled sadly, nodded briefly and she was gone. He looked down at the woman in his arms who had grabbed his attention and his heart from the moment he saw her.
She looked up in that moment and they looked at each other. he raised his arm, gently cupping her cheek, wiping her tears as he took her in. even with red puffy eyes, blotchy cheeks and runny nose, she was still the most beautiful woman he had laid eyes on.
It was like they were drawn in by a magnet or some invisible force as they drew closer and closer to each other. Both knew what was going to happen but neither moved away, neither could move away. Their lips met, in the barest of touches and she let out a sigh, so soft he just felt her breath on his lips. Their lips met again, this time with more intensity. Her hands rested on his chest while his was on her cheek and on her shoulder.
Amanda was stunned by what she had done. How could she do that? Now of all times? Her ex fiancé had hurt him and here she was proving everyone right that they were together! She made to move away from him but he held her in place, his gaze rooting her to the spot.
"Billy…"
"Don't tell me you don't want this too Amanda." he said gently, looking into her eyes.
Amanda sighed. "I do. I can't deny there is something between us but this can't happen. Not now. Look where being close to me got you. I can't risk that."
"I thought we established that none of this is your fault?" not waiting for her response he said, "I want to be with you. I can't hide that or deny it. You make me happier than I have ever been and we can't just put this on hold. I am already Ripley's target. You staying away is not going to change that. Why be miserable apart when we can be happy together and face this as a unit?"
"I am just scared."
"I will be right here. We can do this, together. Let's just try this. Please." He begged, imploring her to agree.
"Ok." said Amanda softly.
"Ok?" Billy said eyebrows raised, a smile on his face.
"Ok." she said nodding smiling shyly back at him.
"Yes." Cheered Billy and Amanda giggled shaking her head amused. "I think I just got better."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I think I need a kiss and I might just walk out of here."
Amanda laughed at that. "What you need is some rest." She rose from her position. Leaning in, she obliged him, kissing him gently and softly before they parted. "I will come and see you later."
"Ok." said Billy suddenly feeling a lot tired now that she wasn't close to him. he closed his eyes. It didn't take him long to fall asleep and Amanda left the room with a slight smile on her face.
XXX
The next days, Amanda went to visit Billy. He was healing nicely and they took time in the hospital to connect even more. They shared funny stories, traded stories of each other growing up, found out what the other liked and disliked and of course there were kisses thrown in too.
She had made peace of some sort with Victoria. She thought back to their interaction.
"Amanda."
"Victoria."
"I apologize for my behaviour the last time we met." Said Victoria. Amanda didn't respond waiting for her to go on. "I… You have to understand that he is the father of my children."
"And you love him."
"Yes I do. Love just doesn't fade. I am sure you know that." Amanda nodded. It wasn't easy to just switch it off. She had nearly fallen in the trap Ripley set when Billy turned out in her suite. "However, I am not in love with him. Not anymore." Amanda's eyes widened at that. "I was just clouded by my own pain that I treated you badly. I am sorry for that."
"It's ok."
"Billy is going to need you. You do make him happy, in ways I cannot. I hope you can take care of him and tame his impulses."
"Can those be tamed?" said Amanda and they shared a laugh.
"I have to go. I just wanted to talk to you."
"Thank you."
It felt good to be on the same side with Victoria again. After all, they would be interacting a lot because of the kids. Billy had been angry when he found out she had been denied to see him but she had placated him and he had forgiven Victoria. The only thing that loomed on their happy bubble was Ripley who hadn't been caught till now. No one knew where he went when he left the gala and everyone was on high alert.
XXX
It was almost 4 days since the stabbing when Ripley made his appearance. Amanda was in her suite sitting on her bed just relaxing when she heard scuffling outside and just as she was about to check what was going on, the door opened and there he was, standing there in her suite. He looked frightening with wild with unkempt dirty dishevelled clothes, eyes red and the look in his eyes was dead… She was taken aback. She had never seen him like that. Her heart was beating so fast she was scared it would rip her chest.
The sound of the door closing caused her to jump with fright. She walked backward looking at him wearily as he advanced. "Hello Amanda."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you. Didn't you want to see me too?" he asked his eyes going over her body.
"You need to leave. Now." She demanded pointing at the door.
"Or what? You will call your guard? I am afraid he is indisposed. May he rest in peace."
Amanda's heart skipped a beat and hearing that, fear gripping her. How far gone was he? She needed to get away before it was too late.
"Yes." He said when he noticed her aghast look. "There is no one but us, just like old times. I am and I am going to show you that you still want me." He advanced toward her. When he saw her look scared, it angered him and he snapped. "Why do you look scared?" he shouted. "You used to look at me with looks of adoration and love didn't you?"
"Stop!"
"Now look at me like I am a non-factor, like I am this vile person who ruined your life. Well I am not! I didn't ruin your life. I made it better and you know it!"
"No!"
"Stop lying!" he shouted. "You pretend as if you don't want me when I know you do! Don't you remember how you used to smile at me, how you used to hug me, how you used to kiss me, how you told me you loved me, how you would moan, scream, wrap your legs around me…"
"Stop!"
"When I came here then last time, you almost gave in before that Billy showed up. You want me. I know that. You still love me."
"You are wrong! I don't want you! I don't love you!" said Amanda getting some of her resolve back. "You have some nerve coming here after what you did to me, to Billy. I will never take you back. Now leave!" Amanda made to walk past him and he grabbed her his grip strong on her arm. She couldn't release herself even if she tried.
"Let go." She said with courage she didn't really feel.
"Or what?" he sneered. "You will run to pretty boy? Well he is not here is he? He is rotting in a hospital bed." He grabbed her, pulling her roughly to his body and placed his head between her neck and shoulder breathing her in deeply. "You smell just as I remember. So sweet…"
Amanda struggled against him but his hold was too strong. The strong smell of liquor filled her senses and it made her sick and dizzy. She tried to swipe at him but he held her other hand. She kicked him with all force she could muster, her foot connecting with some part of him that caused him to cry out and his grip to slacken. She wrenched her hand from his and managed to get loose but as she made for the door, he grabbed her and Amanda felt a searing pain as a knuckle connected to her face. She felt dizzy but her adrenalin was rushing.
She squirmed making it hard for him to get a firm hold on her and then as he tried to pull her to him, she kneed him in the groin connecting perfectly with his bits. He released her crying out and while he was still in pain, she grabbed a vase that was nearby and with all force she could manage, she hit him in the head and as he staggered, she made for the door and ran out. She didn't even pause to check on her security, she just kept running until she got to the reception and hurriedly she said, "Call 911, now!
XXX
Amanda sat on the couches of the hotel, an icepack on her right eye where Ripley's fist had connected. A medic had already checked her and she was going to be fine. She didn't have a concussion but if she began to feel any symptoms, she would need to go to the emergency room. Phyllis was by her side holding her hand and so was Rey. She watched as Ripley was led out in chains, bloody from his head wound where she had hit him with the vase and then her guard was also led out on a stretcher. He wasn't dead but he had been knocked out. She was grateful he hadn't died.
Amanda gave her statement to Rey.
"He is going in a cell, not to be released until his trial. No judge will even think of giving him bail. It's over." said Rey gently.
Amanda breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you Rey. For everything."
"It's ok. Just doing my job." Said Rey with a smile then he rose and went to join the other officers.
"How are you feeling?" asked Phyllis gently.
"Still high on adrenalin." She said with a sigh. "It hasn't sunk in yet that this happened. We all thought he would go after Billy but again he was unpredictable."
"I think he was going for that."
"Yeah. I am just glad he is in custody."
"Me too." Said Phyllis. "I got the penthouse suite ready for you. After everything you went through, you deserve to be in there. Perks of having a best friend as the owner." Said Phyllis with a wink.
Amanda chuckled. "Thanks."
XXX
"I'm going to kill him for hurting you like this." Said Billy running his long fingers on her black eye.
"That might be hard to do since he is jail. Beside, that would mean you will be arrested too and I can't have that." Said Amanda with a smile.
Billy smiled at that. "I am glad you are ok." he said. He couldn't think of how he would feel if something had happened to her. He couldn't lose her. Not when he had just began something special with her.
"I am glad he didn't come for you." said Amanda.
They held each other, grateful the Ripley situation was finally over. Of course there will be the hustles of trials and hearings but they were minor things. They were safe and alive and they could now concentrate on them, on their growing relationship.
There it is. Hope you enjoyed. I so wanted a Amanda/Ripley fight or for Amanda to hit him at least ;)
Let me know what you think.